Many companies are looking for just-in-time learning to save money on training and to provide training that currently is not available. Here are some recommendations to identify if rapid e-learning is right for your project.

1. Type of courses best used for these purposes
2. Success factors
3. Development team
4. Skill levels for rapid e-learning course creation
5. Differences between synchronous and asynchronous delivery (when to use which method)
6. Where PowerPoint fits in
7. Characteristics of a rapid e-learning tool
8. Content tips for creating rapid e-learning

Type of courses best used for these purposes

Rapid E-Learning	Traditional E-Learning
Content rapidly changes or is updated frequently	Content is fixed, or rarely changes
Content may or may not be generic or have a short shelf life	Content is generic or has a long shelf life
Limited or non-existent budget	Large budget
Just in time information – hot topic
Quick time for delivery	Long lead time
Re-purpose existing content	Original content
Any subject that can be explained in words	Subjects that requires high interactivity, simulations, or 3D models

Success factors

Rapid E-Learning	Traditional E-Learning
SME can use the tool – as simple to use as PowerPoint and Word – one to two day learning curve	Power User tool – graphic specialists, technically sophisticated users – two weeks to six month learning curve
Produces content that is easily deployed	May include complex interactions, high bandwidth content, plug-ins
Does not require a team of people to create a course	Need a team of developers with advanced skills e.g. programming, graphic design, instructional design
Course creator imports graphics, clip art, simulations, and animations	Course creator creates graphics, simulations, and animations
Company understand the value of e-learning (understands the cost, time, accessibility savings of moving classroom training to the web)	Company has not necessary embraced rapid e-learning
Works well in a bottom up initiative structure	Works well in a top down initiative structure (larger budgets, larger projects)
Visual design (look and feel) is supplied by company – course developer is not involved.	Visual design (look and feel) is integral part of development process
Courses can be easily maintained, updated, and republished

Development team

Rapid E-Learning Project	Traditional E-Learning Project
SME (Profile: analytical thinker, able to deliver information in a structured form, like a journalist)	Project manager
Optional: Artist to create any project specific graphics, simulations, or interactions	Graphic artist(s)
Optional: Instructional designer to bring course up to the next level	Programmer
	Course Developer
	Instructional designer
	SME

Skill levels for rapid e-learning course creation

Course developer	Skill level
Level one	Takes knowledge and creates a course
Level two	Additionally changes graphics, colors, adds in clip art
Level three	Collaborates with graphic artist to bring courses to life
Level four	Collaborates with graphic artist and programmer (database) to bring additional functions to a course

Differences between synchronous and asynchronous delivery
(when to use which method)

Synchronous	Asynchronous
Content needs an instructor – clear need for communication between instructor and student (instructor face time)	Content can stand on its own
Instructor is available when students are available	Course is available 24 x 7
Students are not necessarily self motivated	Students need just-in-time training (available when they are ready, not when the instructor is available)
Instructor is changing content in real time (Content is not finished)	Courses that can be used as a corporate resource, a reference for increasing productivity (e.g. can be accessed by a Knowledge Management system)

Note: Asynchronous material can be effective in a synchronous environment; the reverse is not the case.

Where PowerPoint fits in

1. Why PowerPoint is not a Rapid e-learning tool
   1. Does not stand on its own – needs an instructor – encourages the author to only provide talking points rather than full material
   2. Does not visually work well on the web - large font, dark background, light foreground - font size adjusts to amount of content on a fixed slide
2. Where PowerPoint works
   1. Good for instructor based training (it’s a presentation tool)
   2. Existing presentations can be used as the outline for an e-learning course

Characteristics of a rapid e-learning tool

1. Short learning curve
2. Does not require the course developer to know how to create a course’s look and feel
3. Navigation built in - Automatically ensures that all navigation works
4. Instructional design encouraged through tools structure and visual queues
5. Does not require any programming or HTML knowledge
6. Integration with LMS’s is built-in – no advanced skills are necessary
7. Deploys easily - does not require any plug-ins
8. Advanced features such as creating links, tests, glossary, FAQ, drill down pages are built-in. Does not require any advanced skills, programming, or HTML knowledge
9. Brings learning objects such as Flash, graphics, and clip art in a straightforward manner

Content tips for creating rapid e-learning

1. Identify who your student is and what information they need
2. Create an outline or use an existing PowerPoint presentation as your outline
3. Use ANY existing material (MS Word documents, PDF, etc.)
4. Interview SMEs or classroom teachers to obtain more material
5. Identify supporting information that can make your content complete such as articles and links
6. Identify ways to explain information differently including breaking information into a series of steps
7. Use friendly formatting such as bullets, structured by headlines
8. Include quizzes and exercises to maintain student’s attention
9. Use graphics if they support your information – do not use graphics for the sake of having a graphic  
10. Visit resources such as Creating Web Courses, that teaches the basics of creating effective instructional design for web courses